Lacewell, McNair expect Jones to run Cowboys for years to come

IRVING – Jerry Jones raised eyebrows this week when he said a recent CAT scan revealed he has the “brain of a 40 year old,” but friends, family member and at least one fellow NFL owner believe Jones is indeed built to run the Dallas Cowboys for years to come.

“I’d be surprised if he ever stops running the team while in good health,” former Cowboys scouting director and Jones’ confidante Larry Lacewell said of Jones, who turns 71 in October and is entering his 25th season as owner/general manager of the Cowboys. “And there is nothing that really shows me he won’t be in anything but good health for a long time. He works out hard, and, of course, he works hard at night. But I think he has slowed down in that area. Maybe those phones that take pictures of you have helped slow him down.”

Jones’ health appears to be good despite having undergone surgery twice in the past four years. In 2010, he had what he termed a major operation for an undisclosed illness he said wasn’t life threatening or heart related. In May, he had what he called “little surgery” to repair a retina.

Family members say Jones is driving himself as hard as ever. Asked to describe his father’s energy level, team executive vice president and personnel director Stephen Jones said, “You tell me. I see a thousand miles an hour. I don’t think the guy ever quits thinking and ever quits moving. So, I think his energy level is good, if not better, than I’ve ever seen. He’s more motivated, more pushing buttons than (what) I’ve ever seen.”

The team’s coach agreed. Jason Garrett, who worked for Jones as a player and assistant coach before replacing the fired Wade Phillips midway through the 2010 season, said Jones’s energy level is “as high as I’ve seen it.”

“That’s his greatness – he brings it every day in everything he does,” Garrett said. “I felt that as a player and I felt that as an assistant coach and I feel that as a head coach. He loves the National Football League. He loves the Dallas Cowboys. He wants to do everything in his power to make them great, and he has that same feeling for life. Whether it’s his family or any other business endeavor he’s in, he does it 100 miles per hour.

“He sets the pace and sets the tone for everything. When you are in an organization, as a player, a coach, an assistant coach, being around that kind of enthusiasm is the best thing. You can ask for anything more.”

Like fellow Arkansas native Bill Clinton, Jones can operate on only a few hours of sleep and is an early riser. Other NFL owners marvel at his vigor.

“He’s doing what he loves to do,” the Houston Texans’ Bob McNair said. “He wants to be GM of his team. I don’t want to be. There is a heck of a lot of work there. He relishes it and he tells you he wouldn’t do anything else.

“He has a passion for the game. I don’t think anyone loves it any more than he does.”

For years, Jones has been one of the NFL’s most-involved, high-profile owners.

In 2011 as a member of the Management Council Executive Committee, he helped broker the most recent labor agreement. He also chairs the NFL Network committee and is a member of the league’s powerful broadcasting committee.

Bottom line: Jones remains a dynamo while running a franchise Forbes ranks No. 1 on its NFL team values list at $2.3 billion.
“He’s always got a lot of energy and a lot of ideas,” McNair said. “He’s very creative and entertaining. He doesn’t mind expressing himself and there’s no telling what he is going to say. He’s not caught up in being politically correct. And usually what he says is quite interesting.